Blue Jackets recall forward Ryan Craig from Springfield Falcons

COLUMBUS, OHIO -- The Columbus Blue Jackets have recalled forward Ryan Craig from the American Hockey League’s Springfield Falcons, club General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen announced today.

Craig, 31, appeared in three games with Columbus earlier this season, recording three shots on goal in addition to five hits and one blocked shot. In 21 appearances with the Falcons in 2013-14, Craig has tallied 12 points on five goals and seven assists. He has also recorded 19 penalty minutes and a +4 rating while serving as Springfield’s team captain.

Originally selected by Tampa Bay in the eighth round, 255th overall, of the 2002 NHL Draft, Craig has appeared in 193 career NHL contests with the Blue Jackets, Lightning and Pittsburgh Penguins, registering 32-31-63 and 148 penalty minutes. The 6-2, 213-pound center has also recorded 122-138-260 in 479 career AHL games with Springfield, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, Norfolk and Hershey.

A native of Abbotsford, British Columbia, Craig played for the Western Hockey League’s Brandon Wheat Kings from 1997-2003, tallying 137-131-268 in 302 appearances. He was named the Canadian Hockey League’s Humanitarian of the Year in 2002-03 and scored 42 goals that season, which was tops on the Wheat Kings and the sixth-best mark in the WHL.

The Blue Jackets return to action later today when the Pittsburgh Penguins visit Nationwide Arena for a 6 p.m. Metropolitan Division battle. Live coverage on FOX Sports Ohio HD begins with the Blue Jackets Live pre-game show starting at 5:30 p.m. The game will also be broadcast live on the Blue Jackets Radio Network, including flagship station 97.1 The Fan in Columbus, and online at BlueJackets.com.